Rajasthan Musical Expedition
India
15 days - Oct 8-22 2013 or
India
12 days - Oct 11-22 2013
in association with:
Our musical adventure delves into a soul-inspiring part of the world: the desert state of Rajasthan. Anyone who saw Alan Yentob's documentary on BBC1's Imagine last year will have some idea of what's in store. And it's not just music, but spectacular landscapes, history and architecture. Stopping off for workshops and seminars with local experts, performances in the desert and interactions with extraordinary artists, the tour culminates in the famous Jodhpur RIFF, the Rajasthan International Folk Festival, hosted in the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.
This is an exploration of a vibrant living culture featuring hand-picked musicians. We spend at least two days in each destination and are shown around by an artist or musicologist, so there's time to absorb the atmosphere and get to know personalities as well as places.
All Songlines Music Travellers will receive an information sheet about the local music plus recommended recordings and DVDs.
India - 15 days - Itinerary
Day 1 Tues
DELHI
At our special welcome dinner you will meet your fellow travellers and host, Delhi-based musician and anthropologist Georgie Pope, who will accompany the rest of the tour.
Days 2 & 3 Wed & Thurs
CHURU
Today we drive to Churu. This lesser-known city in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan boasts some of the finest haveli painting for which this area is famous. It also provides a perfect base for us to explore the music forms of the area. Our host here is of regal descent. Jai Singh Rathore will offer us his comfortable heritage hotel Bhawani Kothi, excellent food and fascinating insights into the cultural history of his hometown.
Musicologist and translator Gopal Singh will join us here to explain the music we're hearing and enhance interactions with the local musicians.
During our stay in Churu, we will meet local dholi singers, part of the largest musical community in Rajasthan and the only one which traditionally allows its women to sing in public.
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| Kalbeliya dancers in DIggi (photo Tricia Griffiths) |
Day 4 Fri
CHURU-JAIPUR
This morning we will visit the villages of two different drumming communities: the Gogaji worshippers and a Holi troupe (information on these two music forms can be found at www.soundtravelsltd.com/blog). After lunch we leave Churu and head to Jaipur where we meet up with group members on the 12-day tour.
Days 5 & 6 Sat & Sun
JAIPUR
We'll spend a couple of days lounging in the stunning garden of Hotel Diggi Palace, in the state capital of Jaipur. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the city on a heritage tour and will be introduced to the work of the Jaipur Virasat (Heritage) Foundation - the organisation behind the Jodhpur Festival where we're heading. Anthropologist Vinod Joshi will introduce you to the fascinating itinerant performers, the kalbeliya - Rajasthan's snake charming, dancing, singing travelling community. Also in Jaipur, you will be introduced to the work of Anokhi - amazing hand block printing pioneers. With luck, we'll meet the founders of both groundbreaking institutions: the unique and energetic John and Faith Singh.
Days 7-9 Mon-Wed
AJMER-PUSHKAR
This morning we leave Jaipur for the next section of the trip which begins at the Ajmer Sharif, the most important site for Muslims throughout India and beyond. Here we will be hosted by a direct descendant of Moinuddin Chisti, the Sufi saint to whom the shrine is dedicated, and hear qawwali music in this awe-inspiring sacred place. The next two days are spent in Pushkar with the fabulous and famous percussionist Nathoo Lal Solanki, who will give you a percussion workshop on the side of lake Pushkar, introduce you to his incredibly musical family, and take you on a camel cart adventure into the desert, where there will be more musical surprises waiting. The sites and stories of Pushkar, including a hill-top temple at sunrise, for those of you who are game, will be shared with you by Mukesh, the most unusual and charismatic pundit in the world. This last night in Pushkar we will be spent under canvas in a desert camp.
Days 10-14 Thurs-Mon
RAJASTHAN INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL, JODHPUR
After breakfast in our desert camp we leave the wilderness behind and drive to Jodhpur. We spend the next five days staying at the quirky Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli and enjoying the incredible variety of music at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. There will also be the opportunity to discover the city of Jodhpur on a heritage tour. Your guide Georgie Pope worked at the festival for three years and is available for questions, help and advice throughout its duration. Otherwise, be free and party! On the last day, the festival ends with a stunning dawn devotional performance at the Jaswant Thada, after which we will start our drive back to Delhi. In the evening we will reach the gorgeous Hotel Neemrana for our last night in India.
Day 15 Tues
DELHI
Today we rise early and drive the last stretch to Delhi International Airport where our tour ends. We say farewell and send you off on your onward journeys.
India - 12 days - Itinerary
The 12-day trip joins the 15-day trip on Friday 11th October 2013.
Day 1 Fri
JAIPUR
You will meet your fellow travellers and host, Delhi-based musician and anthropologist Georgie Pope, in your hotel this evening. Georgie will accompany the group for the rest of the tour. (Day 4 of 14-day itinerary)
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| Meghwals - Dusk Devotions (photo Tricia Griffiths) |
Days 2 & 3 Sat & Sun
JAIPUR
(as per Days 5 & 6 of 15-day itinerary)
Days 4-6 Mon-Wed
AJMER-PUSHKAR
(as per Days 7-9 of 15-day itinerary)
Days 7-11 Thurs-Mon
RAJASTHAN INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL, JODHPUR
(as per Days 10-14 of 15-day itinerary)
Day 12 Tues
DELHI
(as per Day 15 of 15-day itinerary)
Pricing Details
15 day (excl. flights) £1,800 per person
12 day (excl. flights) £1,650 per person
For information and reservations, call Songlines Music Travel on 020 8505 2582
